Syphon Filter Omega Strain

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We get our hands on the multiplayer experience.

By Ed Lewis

Sony was kind enough to fly us in to Bend, OR (pop. 58,000) to play the latest version of Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain. This is the fourth game in the series that debuted on the PlayStation and the first one to make it to the PS2. In addition to some enhanced graphics and AI that the PS2 can provide, there is now going to be some online multiplayer action for up to four gamers as well.

Where the first three Syphon Filter games had only a few set characters to play, The Omega Strain features customizable characters that features a large set of characteristics to choose from. Facial features, body type, male/female, skin color, hair style, and even eye color can be customized in the current version. In the beginning of the game, the options are more limited since each player starts off as a new recruit under Gabe Logan, the hero of the previous titles. By completing missions and completing objectives, more character options become available to make each player unique. One QA team that was testing the game created their own version of the A-Team to play through the game. Beyond the cosmetic differences, weapons also get unlocked through completing the missions.

The levels are being designed to accommodate being played through as solo or team missions. As a solo mission, there are a variety of ways of going through the level, but with cooperative play the options become even more vast. For one thing, there are certain locations that cannot be accessed with just one player. To get on top of a tall van, one player can boost the other on top. That player can then reach down to pull the first one up.

Beyond the direct cooperation, there are other ways to help each other. Some levels will require players to help each other out while in different locations. In the Carthage, MI mission, one player could run to a burning bank while another runs to a water pipe. By turning on the water, the sprinkler system gets activated and the bank can be entered. While this is possible in the solo mission as well, this is an example of players taking care of different problems so that they can finish the mission faster.

Other levels have elements that require the teams to split up. In a mission set in a mall, terrorists are trying to break in and the SWAT team that was sent in is getting overwhelmed. Terrorists need to be taken down, doors need to be locked to stop more from coming in, and some SWAT members are wounded and need to be carried to safety. In the solo mission, players need to switch between different jobs and take care of multiple tasks at once. While carrying a SWAT team member, players can't shoot at the same time. In the solo mission, this means that players will have to put the body down, shoot, and pick it up again to keep moving. With team play, one player can carry the body while the other lays down cover fire. With four players, two can be doing this SWAT rescue while the other two take down terrorists inside the mall and lock the doors.